FIA postponed 2025 Belgian Grand Prix after H….read more
The Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix faced a significant delay due to extreme weather conditions that severely impacted visibility and track safety. Heavy rainfall at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit created an overwhelming amount of spray, which led race officials to postpone the start of the race out of concern for driver visibility rather than the usual issue of standing water on the track. The cars initially took to the circuit for the formation lap behind the safety car, but worsening conditions soon forced officials to red-flag the session and bring the drivers back into the pit lane.
Onboard footage from the drivers during the formation lap showed just how difficult it was to navigate the track. The intense spray from the wet track surface made it nearly impossible for drivers to see clearly, raising safety concerns. As the drivers completed the lap behind the safety car, the scale of the challenge posed by the rain became evident. Race Control, led by the FIA race director, made the call to delay the proceedings with more rain expected to fall over the next 10 to 15 minutes.
Not everyone was pleased with the decision to halt the race. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen voiced his disagreement over team radio, expressing frustration at what he viewed as an overly cautious approach. According to Verstappen, delaying the start until heavier rain arrived would only make things worse and risk a much longer delay. “They’re way too cautious,” he complained, warning that the real downpour was still approaching.
Eventually, after a 100-minute delay, the race got underway again at 4:20 p.m. local time. However, the conditions were still far from ideal, and the restart occurred under the guidance of the safety car. Instead of lining up on the grid, the race officially began from the pit lane, with all the cars following the safety car for the opening laps.
This wasn’t the first time the Belgian Grand Prix had been disrupted by weather. In 2021, torrential rain and persistent poor visibility forced Formula 1 to call off the race after just a few laps behind the safety car. On that occasion, only half points were awarded due to the limited amount of competitive racing that took place.
F1’s updated points system for 2025 outlines that full points can only be granted if the race goes beyond 33 laps. If fewer than two laps are completed, no points will be awarded at all. In this case, once the race resumed and two laps were completed under the safety car, the event met the minimum requirement for classification, though only half points would be distributed unless the race proceeded far enough under racing conditions.
The challenging conditions at Spa-Francorchamps once again highlighted the unpredictable nature of racing in Belgium, where weather is often a major factor. Though officials prioritized safety, the delay reignited debates about whether current safety protocols are too conservative or entirely appropriate given the risks involved in wet weather racing.
